We all have our story; a belief about why we are, what we are, what we are capable of and what is beyond our abilities. This story is closely related to our world view; the way we interpret what we observe, the lessons we choose to draw from our experiences.
Our story shapes our self-concept, powerfully impacting our self-confidence, our emotions and actions and thus the outcomes in our lives. Folks rarely try what they expect to fail and if they do they all too frequently try half-heartedly, virtually insuring a self-fulfilling prophecy.
To this day, I still find myself telling myself I am this or I am that because of events 20, 30, or even 40 years ago. I repeatedly catch myself and say:
“Nathan, if you want to be this or that; that is fine.
But it is YOUR choice.
You are the creator of your life, the one accountable for your thoughts, emotions, and actions.
Do NOT try and pass the buck, take the easy way out, ascribe responsibility to others.
What happens to you may be beyond your control,
How you respond is all you.
Your tendency does not have to be your destiny.”
To create a better life, start telling yourself a new, better story. Develop a vigorous determination to move beyond familiar patterns of thought and behavior. Change your story, change your life.
Closing Quotes:
“The golden opportunity you are seeking is in yourself. It is not in your environment, it is not in luck or chance, or the help of others; it is in yourself alone.” — Orison Swett Marden; 1850-1924, founder and editor of Success magazine.
“Think you can, think you can’t; you are right.” — Henry Ford; 1863–1947
“Be careful how you are talking to yourself because you are listening.” — Lisa M. Hayes
“Relentless, repetitive self-talk is what changes our self-image.” — Denis Waitley, U.S. Naval Academy graduate and a founding member of the National Council of Self-Esteem
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